The contributions in this volume extend our understanding about the different ways distance impacts the knowledge conversion process. Knowledge itself is a raw input into the innovation process which can then transform it into an economically useful output such as prototypes, patents, licences...

Lawton Smith H. and Waters R. Scientific labour markets, networks and regional innovation systems, Regional Studies. While quality of the labour force in a locality is the single most important component of local competitiveness, the regional innovation systems literature has relatively...

Regional Development Agencies have been given the fundamental aim of improving their regions' economic performance and competitiveness. Supporting innovation is a cornerstone of this policy. This paper explores the limitations of region-based strategies arguing that this neglects the importance...

The literature on universities’ contributions to regional development is broad and diverse. A precise understanding of how regions can potentially draw advantages from various university activities and the role of public policy institutions (imperatives and incentives) in promoting such...

Quintessentially a US phenomenon, the information and knowledge economy (IKE) combines regional clusters of innovation with new and sophisticated forms of intellectual and finance capital. For those European economies struggling to adjust to global competition, the IKE is seen as the panacea. It...

The inseparability of the biotechnology industry and the state is a central theme in the analysis of the location and performance of biotechnology industry in the US and elsewhere. This paper reports on the results of a survey of US biotechnology companies looking particularly at their...

This paper examines the changing geography of employment in Knowledge-Intensive Business Services (KIBS) in Britain. KIBS represent an important element of the so-called 'knowledge economy' and have been amongst the fastest growing employment sectors in advanced economies in recent years....